Wrist bands

ABSTRACT

An expandable watch band has an identification plate therein for receiving identification, allergy, or medical information thereon. The ends of the bracelet have disconnect features which enable an easy removal of the expandable bracelet for engraving the plate.

United States Patent Hodgson [151 3,677,450 [4 1 July 18,1972

[ WRIST BANDS [72] Inventor: Jo Hodgson, Route 2, Shullsburg, Wis.

22 Filed: Dec. 24,1970

211 'Appl.No.: 101,331

[52] US. Cl. ..224/4 E, 24/265 WS, 59/79 R, 224/28 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A44c 5/06, A44c 5/14 [58] Field of Search ..24/119, 116A, 265 WS, 265 EB; 59/79 R, 79 B; 224/4 H, 4 E, 4 D, 28 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,749,634 6/1956 Billett..L ..224/28 B 2,796,747 6/1957 Ebert ..224/28 B 3,009,614 1 H1961 l-lumphner. 3,173,240 3/1965 Sang ..59/79 R Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Anomey-Alter, Weiss & Whitesel [57] ABSTRACT An expandable watch band has an identification plate therein for receiving identification, allergy, or medical information thereon. The ends of the bracelet have disconnect features which enable an easy removal of the expandable bracelet for engraving the plate.

7 Chins, 6 Drawing Figures NAM E 0 q o l7 Patented July 18, 1972 INVENTOR JO HODGSON ATTORNEYS WRIST BANDS My invention relates to improvements in wrist watch bands and more particularly to an identification bracelet incorporated in such bands.

People with medical problems must be aware of and prepare for a time when they might be thrown onto the mercy of strangers. For example, a person with a severe allergy to a drug could have an accident, be injected with the drug, and die as a result thereof. Or a person with a heart defect could have an incapacitating attack and die before his sickness is properly diagnosed. Thus, it is a common practice for such people to wear an identification tag or bracelet setting forth a brief statement of their medical history. Most people also wear a wrist watch which is an ideal place for carrying such a tag. However, the tags must usually be engraved to order for each persons particular sickness. While it is not too difficult to engrave a few words on such a watch bracelet, it is usually too much trouble to engrave a lot of information.

A prime object of my invention is to provide a new and novel expandable band that will support a wrist watch, an identification plate, or both.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that may be easily applied to or removed from the wrist watch and/or identification plate.

Still another object is to construct the device in a simple manner for its performance and function.

In keeping with an aspect of the invention, an individual who is subject to allergies, is diabetic, or the like, may carry not only his name and address but also information relative to his physical condition and afflictions. A somewhat conventional wrist watch expansion band has special ends which permit the insertion of an identification pad.

The device illustrated, described, and claimed herein is simple in construction and easy to manipulate without requiring special mechanical training or special equipment.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the entire assembled device shown attached to and supporting a wrist watch and an identification P FIG. 2 is a side view of the entire device completely assembled and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the device shown in a'retracted position and illustrating the attaching tube in cross section;

FIG. 4 is a similar view, as shown in FIG. 3, in an expanded position;

FIG. 5 is a lateral end view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 of the links, showing a spring mounted therein; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a number of links showing the tionally held in place. These tubular members 12 are also shown equipped with longitudinal inwardly slots 14 extending from the open ends of the tubes 12.

The body of the wrist band includes a plurality of link members shown as 15, hingedly attached to one another at their center 16 by means of a pin 17 (see FIG. 5). They are also shown as hingedly engaging the ends of the adjacent links at the end points 18. Each pair of links is biased by a spring 19 spirally wound at 20 around the pins 17. Their outwardly extending ends 21 are attached to the links 15 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The other ends of the link members 15, adjacent to the tubes 12 are shown as bein ui with knobs 22 for engaging the slots 14 (see 131i 4). These knobs are locked into the slots 14 since they are dimensioned to be larger than the slots. The knobs provide for slidable movement when the link members 15 are in an expanded or retracted position.

The slots 14 extend to the ends-of the tube 12 so that when the plugs or sealing members 13 are removed from the ends of the tube 12, the knobs 22 may be slidably removed therefrom.

The spring 19 functions to bring the links 15 into a retracted position as shown in FIG. 3 after the links 15 are expanded as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Obviously the resiliency of the spring 19 may vary to determine the amount of pressure that must be applied for expanding the assembled device when it is applied to the wrist of the wearer.

From the above description it should be apparent that the device is designed to perform the function for which it is intended. One of the more important advantages of my invention is that if the watch is lost there will be an identification of it so that there is a very good chance that the watch will be returned by the finder. Although I have shown a specific con struction and arrangement of the parts and features constituting my invention, I am fully aware of changes which may be made without effecting operativeness of the device. Thus, the appended claims should be construed to cover all equivalents which fall within the spirit or the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. An expandable watch bracelet comprising a plurality of spring biased links interconnected at their ends to similar intersecting spring biased links,

a pair of outer ends at the extremities of each series of interconnected links, each of said outer ends terminating in a knob, and

tubular mean on an associated device having slots therein for removably and slidably receiving said knobs.

2. The bracelet of claim 1 and means for removably closing the ends of said tubular members to preclude a removal of said knobs from said tubes, I

3. The bracelet of claim 2 wherein there are two of said devices, one being a wrist watch and the other being a plate carrying information thereon.

4. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said information includes iterm of medical information.

5. The bracelet of claim 4 wherein said plate is positioned in said bracelet midway between the outer ends thereof.

6. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said bracelet includes a wrist watch and an identification plate carrying the wearers medical history.

7. The bracelet of claim 6 and one of said tubular means on each side of said watch and plate. 

1. An expandable watch bracelet comprising a plurality of spring biased links interconnected at their ends to similar intersecting spring biased links, a pair of outer ends at the extremities of each series of interconnected links, each of said outer ends terminating in a knob, and tubular mean on an associated device having slots therein for removably and slidably receiving said knobs.
 2. The bracelet of claim 1 and means for removably closing the ends of said tubular members to preclude a removal of said knobs from said tubes.
 3. The bracelet of claim 2 wherein there are two of said devices, one being a wrist watch and the other being a plate carrying information thereon.
 4. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said information includes items of medical information.
 5. The bracelet of claim 4 wherein said plate is positioned in said bracelet midway between the outer ends thereof.
 6. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said bracelet includes a wrist watch and an identification plate carrying the wearers medical history.
 7. The bracelet of claim 6 and one of said tubular means on each side of said watch and plate. 